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IN the week which started with two rogue traffic police officers being arrested, it appears the Harare City Council are also cracking the whip on their municipal police officers.
The Casino Cops — Sergeant James Chifamba and Constable Trymore Chipunza — were nabbed amid a social media outcry after they were filmed extorting motorists near he Mabvuku turn-off along the Harare/Mutare highway. Now, the Harare City Council are also cracking the whip and, at least, 20 municipal cops have been transferred in a reshuffle meant to improve the operations within the Council’s traffic section.
The reshuffle comes at a time when the City Council has recorded an increase in reports of unscrupulous elements masquerading as municipal officers, who are soliciting bribes.
There have also been reports about unscrupulous elements within the municipal cops.
The transfers also come at a time in which investigations were instituted into a case of a traffic cop whose video, bashing a motorist, made waves on social media last week.
At the time, Mayor Jacob Mafume said the Council would review how traffic cops operate within the city.
In a statement, the City of Harare said it was heeding the call by residents to improve customer care, efficiency, and trust among their traffic police officers hence the urgent action which we hope will improve operations.
“Residents are urged to keep reporting any suspicious behaviour towards them by any City employees as we strive to improve service delivery,” Council said.
“We can also confirm that we are taking head-on, reports of corruption and unlawful transgressions by our employees in all departments.”
It has been a dramatic year for the municipal cops.
In January, eight municipal police officers were suspended on allegations of extorting money from motorists they arrested for traffic violations.
The accused officers allegedly demanded money from motorists, promising to drop charges against them.
“The City of Harare has noted with concern, serious transgressions and unprofessional conduct by some elements within the municipal police, some of which have been captured on various media platforms,” City of Harare spokesperson, Stanley Gama, said.
“Some municipal traffic police officers are terrorising residents by extorting money from motorists under the guise of having arrested them for traffic violations.
“The victims are subjected to all sorts of intimidation until they part with their money.”
Online Reporter